Oil supermajor BP says global carbon emissions will continue to rise well above what most scientists regard as safe levels in the years to come. While there's no silver-bullet solution to the threat of climate change, the company endorses one specific policy as a way to guide efforts.

The spiral of violence in Libya shows no indication of letting up, suggesting things could get much worse before they get better. That lowers the chances that Libya will be able to turn its oil fortunes around.

Some OPEC members, concerned about the economic impact of low oil prices, say the cartel may have to call an emergency meeting sooner rather than later. But Saudi Arabia, the most influential member, is likely to veto such an idea.

Opposition to hydraulic fracturing has been very strong in Germany, but the government is flirting with the idea of allowing oil and gas drillers to begin fracking as an answer to energy security issues.

Analyzing the short-term trajectory of oil prices is certainly important, Cunningham writes, but it obscures the fact that over the long-term, oil exploration companies may struggle to bring new sources of supply online.

Japanese engineers have designed a snake-like robot to help inspect the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. The robot will help gather information in preparation of removing the building's radioactive rubble.

The divergence between official energy statistical agencies, and the advent of well-funded independent original research, suggest that the days of looking solely to two governmental energy entities for energy information are over, Cobb writes.

The latest oil market report from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries paints a not-so-rosy picture for US drillers under pressure from lower oil prices. But even OPEC admits that US oil production has remained surprisingly stable despite collapsed oil prices and cutbacks in US energy.

Banks financed much of the US oil boom and are now faced with significant challenges as drillers run short of cash. Major, multinational banks are relatively insulated from any shocks, but smaller, regional banks – especially in Texas and North Dakota – are facing a much bigger problem.